Support member for preventing inverted insertion of a film cassette

ABSTRACT

A camera having a film receiving chamber and a support member mounted within the chamber for urging and supporting a properly inserted film cassette into position for exposure of a film unit contained therein. The support member includes first and second sections spaced from each other to define a gap which is adapted to releasably retain a portion of the film cassette upon inverted insertion of the latter into the film receiving chamber, thereby preventing full insertion of the film cassette into the chamber.

United States Patent Erlichman [54] SUPPORT MEMBER FOR PREVENTINGINVERTED INSERTION OF A FILM CASSETTE [72] inventor: Irving Erlichman,Wayland, Mass. [73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

22 Filed: May 14, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 143,450

[52] US. Cl ..95/7l, 95/19 [51] Int. Cl....G03h 17/26, G031) 17/32,G031) 19/10 [58] Field ofSearch 95/7l,66,3l 11,316 A, 13,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,604,327 9/1971 HiroshiHirata ..352/78 R 51 Aug. 8, 1972 3,362,774 1/ 1968 Easterly ..3S2/723,161,118 12/1964 Wareham ..95/19 2,991,702 7/1961 Eloranta ..95/22 XPrimary Exandner-Joseph F. Peters, Jr. Attorney-Brown and Mikulka,Alfred E. Corrigan and Lawrence G. Norris ABSTRACT A camera having afilm receiving chamber and a support member mounted within the chamberfor urging and supporting a properly inserted film cassette intoposition for exposure of a film unit contained therein. The supportmember includes first and second sections spaced from each other todefine a gap which is adapted to releasably retain a portion of the filmcassette upon inverted insertion of the latter into the film receivingchamber, thereby preventing full insertion of the film cassette into thechamber.

12 China, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAuc 8 m2 SHEEI 1 BF 3 WWW amd atfffm? YS PATENTEflws a ma SHEET 3 0F 3 FIGS 1 N VENTOR. IRVING ERLICHMANlfimuwn .wld WZ/W wr cl W SUPPORT MEMBER FOR PREVENTING INVERTEDINSERTION OF A FILM CASSETTE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of theInvention This invention relates to support members for urging a filmcassette into position within a camera for exposure of a film unitcontained therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art Support members of the type describedare of course well known, but conventional support members suffer fromone general defect; i.e., they perform only one function, namely, tourge a film cassette toward and support it at the focal plane of acamera. In past years this was fine; however, in todays highlycompetitive photographic industry, emphasis is being directed to thecost and compactness of the photographic products and the conveniencewith which the product can be used. However, usually the ratio betweencost and compactness is an inverse one; i.e., the cost of the productincreases as the product approaches its maximum compactness. Further,adding items of convenience to the product generally results in highermanufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a unique,inexpensive support member adapted for use with a film cassette of thetype shown in the copending application of Richard Paglia entitledApparatus for Interfacing Photographic Camera and Film Cartridge, Ser.No. 136,071 filed Apr. 21, 1971, and assigned in common herewith. Thesupport member not only performs its time honored function of urging thefilm cassette toward and supporting it at the focal plane of a camerabut also functions as a means for preventing the full insertion of thefilm cassette into a camera in an inverted manner, i.e., with theexposure window in the cassette facing away from the camera's focalplane. This additional function of the support member adds a convenienceto the camera, i.e., the prevention of improper loading of the filmcassette, without adding to the cost or subtracting from the compactnessof the camera.

In a preferred embodiment, the support member comprises a cantilevermounted spring having first and second sections spaced from each otherto define a gap therebetween. The support member is mounted in the pathof travel that the film cassette takes as it is being inserted into thecameras film chamber. Upon proper insertion of the film cassette intothe film chamber, a rear wall of the cassette engages and rides over thefirst section of the support member as it is guided upwardly toward apositioning member which in turn locates or aligns the cassette inposition for exposure of the forwardmost film unit contained therein.Thereafter, the support member assists in supporting the cassette at theexposure position. Should the cassette be inadvertently inserted intothe chamber in an inverted manner, a portion of the forward wall of thecassette will engage the first section and move or deflect the first andsecond sections to a position in which the aforementioned portion of theforward wall can pass to a position between the first and secondsections. As the exposure aperture in the forward wall of the cassettepasses over the first section, the first section, which heretofore hadbeen held downwardly against its own bias by the portion of thecassette, is allowed to move upwardly into the exposure aperture,thereby positioning the first section on one side of the portion of thecassette's forward wall and the second section on the other side of thewall portion. In other words, the upward move ment of the first andsecond sections in response to the absence of force on the first sectionresults in the wall portion being located in the gap between the firstand second sections. The second section is configured to prevent anyfurther movement of the cassette into the chamber while the firstsection includes an inclined camrning surface which, upon applying awithdrawal force on the cassette, is adapted to be carnmed to a positionwhich will allow the cassette to be withdrawn from the chamber.

In an alternative embodiment, the support member includes first andsecond sections extending in cantilever fashion from a common basesection toward each other to define a gap for receiving a portion of aninverted film cassette. The base section is also provided with a pair ofelongated slots which are adapted to allow the passage therethrough of apair of resiliently biased electrical contacts for electrical engagementwith a pair of battery terminals located in alignment with a pair ofopenings in the rear wall of the cassette.

In each of the described embodiments, the support member is of unitaryconstruction, thereby facilitating the manufacture and assembly thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a photographic camera having asupport means therein for urging a properly inserted film cassette intoposition for exposure of a film unit contained therein and forpreventing insertion of the cassette into the camera in an invertedmanner.

Another object of the invention is to provide photographic apparatusincluding a camera having means for positioning a film cassette inposition for exposure of a film unit contained therein, a film cassetteand a support means for cooperating with each other to guide a properlyinserted cassette into alignment with the positioning means and toprevent the full insertion of the cassette into the camera in aninverted manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a support member ofthe type which will not only urge a properly inserted film cassette intoposition within a camera for exposure of a film unit contained thereinbut will also prevent insertion of the cassette into the camera in aninverted manner.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of thenature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a camera embodyingthe instant invention, most sections of the camera being shown inphantom for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a preferred type of supportmeans which forms a part of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the relationship betweenthe support means of FIG. 2 and a film cassette which has been insertedinto the camera of FIG. I in an inverted manner;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the relationship between thesupport means of FIG. 2 and a properly inserted film cassette;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a supportmeans usable in the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to FIG. I ofthe drawings wherein is shown a camera 10 of the type shown in thecopending application of Alfred H. Bellows, Ser. No. 102,775, filed Dec.30, I970, and assigned in common herewith. Camera 10 includes a mainhousing section 12 having a rear wall 14, an end wall 16 and side walls18 and 20. Walls l4, l6, l8 and 20 cooperate with a plate 22 to define achamber 24 having an open end 26 through which a film cassette 28 isadapted to be inserted. Plate 22 has a rectangular shaped opening 30therein which is adapted to function as a positioning means for the filmcassette 28, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Mountedadjacent to and in closing relation to the open end 26 of chamber 24 isa roller housing section 32 having suitable means for mounting a pair ofrollers 34 and 36 between side walls 38 (only one of which is shown) andabove a rear wall 40. Housing section 32 is pivotally coupled to housingsection 12 for movement between the position shown in FIG. 1 wherein therollers 34 and 36 are in position to receive a film unit as it exitsfrom film cassette 28 and a loading position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,wherein the film cassette 28 may be inserted into or withdrawn fromchamber 24 by way of open end 26.

Mounted within chamber 24 and upon rear wall 14 is a pair of laterallyspaced electrical contacts 42 (only one of which is shown), each ofwhich is adapted to enter an aperture 44 in the rear wall 46 of filmcassette 28 to make electrical contact with the battery temiinals ofbattery 48 for providing energy to components of the camera. Alsomounted within chamber 24, on rear wall 14, and in the path of travel offilm cassette 28, is a support means or member 50 which is adapted tourge a properly inserted film cassette into position for exposure of theforwardmost film unit 52 contained therein and to prevent the fullinsertion of a film cassette into chamber 24 in an inverted manner.

Support means 50, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2, is formed from aresilient material, e.g., spring metal, and includes a first section 54extending upwardly from a mounting flange 56, a second section 58longitudinally spaced from the first section 54, thereby defining a gap60 therebetween and means 62 including a camming surface 64 coupledbetween the first and second members 54 and 58, respectively.

Referring back briefly to FIG. I, it can be seen that film cassette 28is tapered from left to right and includes an endless rib or flange 70extending upwardly from the forward wall of the cassette to define arectangular shaped exposure aperture 72 in the cassette's forward wall.Rectangular shaped opening 30 in plate 22 is adapted to telescopicallyreceive flange to properly position the forwardmost film unit 52 inposition for exposure to light passing through exposure aperture 72.

To insert a film cassette 28 into the chamber 24, roller housing section32 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction to provide access to theopen end 26 of the chamber 24. The film cassette 28 is then insertednarrow end first through the open end and into the clmmber in thedirection shown by the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4. Should the insertion bemade with the cassette in an inverted position, as shown in FIG. 3, aportion of the cassette, i.e., flange 70, will be directed by the wallsof the chamber 24 into engagement with first section 54 of the supportmeans 50 to deflect the latter against its normally upward bias. Flange70 rides up first section 54 until it reaches the high point 55 of firstsection 54. Further movement of the cassette to the right results in thehigh point 55 being located in alignment with the exposure aperture 72.In this position the high point 55 is no longer being held down by thestructure of the cassette and first and second sections 54 and 58 arefree to move upwardly under their own bias to trap flange 70 in gap 62,thereby preventing further movement of the cassette into the chamber.The high point 55 of first section 54 is allowed to enter exposureaperture 72 due to the smaller lateral dimension of the support means 50relative to the lateral dimension of the aperture 72, the lateraldimension being taken in a direction perpendicular to side walls 18 and20. Also, the lateral dimension of support means 50 is greater than thatof openings 44 in the rear wall of the cassette to prevent the highpoint 55 from entering the openings 44. As can be seen in FIG. 3, thedistance that high point 55 can travel into the exposure aperture 72 islimited by the depth of gap 60. Accordingly, the depth of gap 60 isselected to ensure that flange 70 will bottom out in gap 60 before thehigh point 55 reaches a position within aperture 72 where it maypossibly damage the film units 52.

Once the user is aware of his mistake, i.e., inverted insertion, eitherby noticing that further forward movement of the cassette has beenprevented or by noticing that roller housing section 32 cannot bereturned to the operative position shown in FIG. I because a relativelylarge portion of the cassette 28 is still located outside the chamber24, he may remove the cassette by withdrawing the latter to the left (asviewed in FIG. 3). A withdrawal force to the left will bring flange 70into engagement with camming surface 64 to cam first section 54downwardly, thereby moving both first and second sections 54 and 58 to aposition which will allow withdrawal of the cassette from the chamber24. The film cassette 28 is then reinserted (narrow end first) in theposition shown in FIG. 4 wherein the rear wall 46 of the cassette 28deflects the support means 50 downwardly as the cassette is moved to theright. During this movement, the support means maintains a continuousupward bias on the cassette until the cassette reaches a positionwherein the flange 70 defining the exposure aperture 72 is in alignmentwith the opening 30 in plate 22. At this time, the support means 50urges the cassette upwardly into engagement with the locating means,i.e., the structure defining opening 30, to locate the forwardmost filmunit in position for exposure. The cassette is maintained in the latterposition by the bias of either the support means 50 of contacts 42 orboth.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings wherein is showna modification of the support means shown in FIGS. 1 4. in thisembodiment, the support means 100 is again formed as a unitary structurefrom any suitable material, e.g., spring metal. Support means 100includes a curved base plate 102 which is attached to the interiorsurface of wall 14 at a point substantially midway between the ends ofthe chamber 24. An H-shaped opening formed in plate 102 includes a pairof elongated openings 104 and 106 which are adapted to allow the passagetherethrough of a pair of electrical contacts 108, and 110, similar tothose previously described, and a transverse opening 112. Opening 1 12forms a gap between first and second sections 114 and 116 which extendin cantilever fashion away from plate 102 and toward each other. Supportmeans 100 functions in a manner similar to support means 50, i.e., uponproper insertion of a film cassette into the chamber in the directionshown by the arrow, the rear wall of the cassette deflects first andsecond sections 114 and 116, respectively, until the flange 70 is inalignment with the opening 30 in plate 22 whereupon the cassette isurged upwardly into position, as hereinbefore described, by theresilience of support means 100. Obviously, at this time, the contacts108 and 110 will be aligned with openings in the rear wall of thecassette to enable electrical engagement between the contacts 108 and110 and the terminals of the cassettes battery. Should the userinadvertently insert the film cassette into the chamber 24 in aninverted manner, the previously described portion of flange 70 will rideup on first section 114 while simultaneously deflecting it until it getsto a point above gap 112. At this point, first section 114 will springupwardly behind the flange 70 and into the exposure aperture 72 whilesecond section 116 will engage the opposite side of flange 70 toreleasably trap the flange 70 therebetween. The cassette can now bemoved only to the right (as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6) in order towithdraw the improperly inserted cassette. When a withdrawal force isapplied to the cassette, flange 70 engages a camming surface 122extending downwardly from first section 114 to deflect the latter to aposition wherein the cassette 28 may be withdrawn from the chamber 24.

From the foregoing it can be seen that there has been described a new,simple and inexpensively manufae tured support means which combines aplurality of functions into one unitary structure. The support meansfunctions to urge a properly inserted film cassette into position forexposure of a film unit contained therein and prohibits the insertion ofthe film cassette into the exposure position in an inverted manner.Although the invention has been described as one wherein an exposureaperture defining flange on a cassette is received by a gap in thesupport means for preventing further insertion of the cassette in aninverted manner, it is within the scope of the invention to increase thedistance between the ends of the first and second members in order toreceive any portion of the cassettes forward wall which has adiscontinuity therein. For example, where the cassette has a planarforward wall having an exposure aperture therein rather than an exposuredefining flange on its forward wall, the gap or the space between thefirst and second sections could be lengthened such that upon invertedinsertion of the cassette, the portion of the camera's forward wallextending between its exposure aperture and the trailing end wall of thecassette (the end wall which is first inserted into the chamber) wouldbe received by the gap to prevent further insertion.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic camera for receiving a film cassette containing filmunits, comprising:

means defining a chamber having an open end through which a filmcassette is adapted to be inserted;

means for locating the film cassette in said chamber with one of thefilm units in the cassette located in position for exposure; and

an element located in the path of travel of the film cassette throughsaid open end into said chamber having means integral therewith forpreventing full insertion of the cassette into said chamber in aninverted position, and when the film cassette is properly positioned,said element allowing full insertion of the cassette into said chamberand urging the film cassette into engagement with said V locating means.

2. A photographic camera as defined in claim 1 wherein said elementlocated in the path of the film cassette further includes means defininga gap for receiving a portion of the film cassette during insertion ofthe film cassette into said chamber in an inverted manner.

3. A photographic camera as defined in claim 2 wherein said elementlocated in the path of the film cassette further includes resilientmeans for urging the film cassette into engagement with said locatingmeans.

4. A photographic camera as defined in claim 3 wherein said elementlocated in the path of the film cassette includes first and secondsections defining said gap, said first section including an inclinedsurface which is adapted to be engaged by the portion of the filmcassette for moving said first section to a position out of lockingengagement with the film cassette to per mit withdrawal of the filmcassette from the chamber.

5. A photographic camera as defined in claim 4 wherein said elementlocated in the path of the film cassette is of unitary construction.

6. Photographic apparatus comprising:

a camera including means defining a chamber having an open end throughwhich a film cassette is adapted to be inserted;

a film cassette including at least one film unit adapted to be locatedin position for exposure;

means within said camera for locating said film unit in position forexposure;

an element located in the path of travel of said film cassette throughsaid open end into said chamber having means integral therewith forpreventing full insertion of said film cassette into said chamber in aninverted position, and, when properly positioned, said element allowingfull insertion of the cassette into said chamber and urging said filmcassette into engagement with said locating means; and

means on said film cassette adapted to be engaged by said elementlocated in the path of travel of the film cassette upon insertion ofsaid film cassette into said chamber in an inverted position to preventsaid full insertion.

7. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means onsaid film cassette are adapted to cooperate with said locating means forlocating said film unit in position for exposure.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means onsaid film cassette include means defining an exposure aperture inalignment with said film unit.

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said meansdefining an exposure aperture include rib means.

10. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said rib meanscooperates with said locating means to locate said film unit in positionfor exposure.

I I. Support means for urging a properly inserted film cassette intoposition within a camera for exposure of a film unit contained thereinand for preventing insertion of the film cassette into the camera in aninverted position comprising:

first and second sections, said first and second sections being spacedfrom each other to define a gap therebetween, said first section, uponthe inverted insertion of the film cassette. being adapted for movementby the film cassette in a first direction to allow a portion of the filmcassette to pass to a point between said first and second sections andin a second direction wherein the portion of the film cassette isretained in said gap against further movement into the camera; and

means coupled to said first section and engageable by the portion of thefilm cassette for moving said first section in said first direction toallow withdrawal of the film cassette from the camera.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said support means isof unitary construction.

l l! i i l

1. A photographic camera for receiving a film cassette containing filmunits, comprising: means defining a chamber having an open end throughwhich a film cassette is adapted to be inserted; means for locating thefilm cassette in said chamber with one of the film units in the cassettelocated in position for exposure; and an element located in the path oftravel of the film cassette through said open end into said chamberhaving means integral therewith for preventing full insertion of thecassette into said chamber in an inverted position, and when the filmcassette is properly positioned, said element allowing full insertion ofthe cassette into said chamber and urging the film cassette intoengagement with said locating means.
 2. A photographic camera as definedin claim 1 wherein said element located in the path of the film cassettefurther includes means defining a gap for receiving a portion of thefilm cassette during insertion of the film cassette into said chamber inan inverted manner.
 3. A photographic camera as defined in claim 2wherein said element located in the path of the film cassette furtherincludes resilient means for urging the film cassette into engagementwith said locating means.
 4. A photograpHic camera as defined in claim 3wherein said element located in the path of the film cassette includesfirst and second sections defining said gap, said first sectionincluding an inclined surface which is adapted to be engaged by theportion of the film cassette for moving said first section to a positionout of locking engagement with the film cassette to permit withdrawal ofthe film cassette from the chamber.
 5. A photographic camera as definedin claim 4 wherein said element located in the path of the film cassetteis of unitary construction.
 6. Photographic apparatus comprising: acamera including means defining a chamber having an open end throughwhich a film cassette is adapted to be inserted; a film cassetteincluding at least one film unit adapted to be located in position forexposure; means within said camera for locating said film unit inposition for exposure; an element located in the path of travel of saidfilm cassette through said open end into said chamber having meansintegral therewith for preventing full insertion of said film cassetteinto said chamber in an inverted position, and, when properlypositioned, said element allowing full insertion of the cassette intosaid chamber and urging said film cassette into engagement with saidlocating means; and means on said film cassette adapted to be engaged bysaid element located in the path of travel of the film cassette uponinsertion of said film cassette into said chamber in an invertedposition to prevent said full insertion.
 7. Photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 6 wherein said means on said film cassette are adaptedto cooperate with said locating means for locating said film unit inposition for exposure.
 8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 6wherein said means on said film cassette include means defining anexposure aperture in alignment with said film unit.
 9. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means defining an exposureaperture include rib means.
 10. Photographic apparatus as defined inclaim 9 wherein said rib means cooperates with said locating means tolocate said film unit in position for exposure.
 11. Support means forurging a properly inserted film cassette into position within a camerafor exposure of a film unit contained therein and for preventinginsertion of the film cassette into the camera in an inverted positioncomprising: first and second sections, said first and second sectionsbeing spaced from each other to define a gap therebetween, said firstsection, upon the inverted insertion of the film cassette, being adaptedfor movement by the film cassette in a first direction to allow aportion of the film cassette to pass to a point between said first andsecond sections and in a second direction wherein the portion of thefilm cassette is retained in said gap against further movement into thecamera; and means coupled to said first section and engageable by theportion of the film cassette for moving said first section in said firstdirection to allow withdrawal of the film cassette from the camera. 12.The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein said support means is ofunitary construction.